those situations where you know you have to produce and you do your best when you have that chance," Wolyniec said.
Wolyniec started the first game of the year -- a scoreless draw at Columbus and has seen limited time off the bench in two other regular season games. But while he might not be the quickest player or have the best moves on the ball, Wolyniec has always been opportunistic -- as the Crew know all too well.
"John had a great game tonight," Bruce Arena said. "He's an experienced player. He has a great attitude everyday and he plays the role that he's given. Give him a lot of credit, I thought he played quite well tonight."
Wolyniec's 17th-minute goal, which proved to be the game-winner, was the seventh he's scored against the Crew in his career. That's seven out of 29 goals, 26 if you take away the three he scored for Columbus in 2005.
"That's why it wasn't good playing for them," Wolyniec deadpanned. "I don't know what it is. I guess it's just one of those things where we happen to play them a lot and I just happen to get my opportunities against that team."
The goal was classic Wolyniec, as he swept in at the far post to knock in Dane Richards' cross as he crashed into the net.
The goal was massive for the Red Bulls, who fell behind early last week in a disheartening loss to Colorado. Little did they know it would open the floodgates as Clint Mathis, Juan Pablo Angel and Sal Caccavale scored in the second half.
"I think today was a different performance overall," Angel said. "The service from the back this week was quicker. That helps the way we play because we are a team that likes to pass the ball around. ... We were clinical in attack, and when you score goals, you've always got a chance."
Angel scored his first goal of his MLS career, making the most of a blunder by Columbus defender Marcos Gonzalez in the 61st minute. He also set up Wolyniec and Clint Mathis for goals.
"I think he played well," Arena said of Angel. "He made a very good pass on the first goal. He was part of the play on the second, third and fourth goals. I think it's going to take time [for the team] to get familiar with him. He's different than players we've had in the past."
Mathis' goal 10 minutes earlier was the 43rd of his career, bringing him one goal away from Giovanni Savarese on New York's all-time list.
"I didn't even know. It's not a big deal -- my goal is to come out here and win games," Mathis said. "If I'm able to help my team out by scoring goals, that's great, but if that's the last goal I ever score, so be it."
With Claudio Reyna, Ronald Waterreus, Hunter Freeman and Altidore out, Arena was forced to juggle his lineup as Mathis moved into Reyna's deep role in the midfield and Dema Kovalenko played right back for the first time in his career.
After what Arena described was a shaky 20 minutes, Kovalenko was solid as he limited the Crew's chances and helped the Red Bulls notch their league-leading fifth clean sheet of the season.
"It's about just listening to the central defenders and just keeping it tight," Kovalenko said. "After I listened to them, I got more comfortable. After a while, you know what you have to do. The more you play in practice, the better you get."
As for Wolyniec, he keeps plugging along. A regular starter in his career, the Staten Island, N.Y., native is behind Angel, Altidore and Mathis in the pecking order. His role might have changed, but his attitude hasn't.
"It's always tough," Wolyniec said. "It's always a bumpy road and some of the fun is in the challenge."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
